BBC business and economics journalist Declan Curry was guest speaker at the British Woodworking Federation’s (BWF) Annual Dinner and Woodworking Awards at the Law Society in Chancery Lane, London.

Mr Curry hosted the awards, which recognise achievements in technical innovation and professional development, attended by 160 people from the UK joinery industry and suppliers to the sector.

The longest-standing award, the Technical Excellence and Innovation Award, was set up in 2010 in memory of John Hedgecock, the former technical director of the BWF.

Presented to Houghtons of York Ltd for a second consecutive year, the award was given for the manufacture and stunning hand carving of a reredos and gradine for a private chapel.

The judges were hugely impressed with the range of quality and skill on show. This included ornate moulding, demanding and intricate machining, hand-carved and lathe turned elements, and gold leaf finishes.

"This was a precise, technically challenging and truly stunning piece of joinery," the judges said.

AJB Woodworking Ltd was the recipient of the Process Efficiency Award. The company invested £1.5m into new factory premises, a huge move with great upheaval for both business and staff.

AJB’s product lead-time has halved and they are expecting to increase staff by a third in 2017.

"The entry stood out because the company saw potential for growth and efficiencies and grabbed it," the judges commented.

"The business had a definitive goal which they achieved whilst maintaining interaction with their staff, good customer service, time keeping and overall cost effectiveness."

The Health and Safety Hero Award saw Lawrence Pereira of D J Newman Joinery Ltd crowned Health and Safety Hero.

After a full independent audit of health and safety practices, Mr Pereira introduced new policies, manuals and training for the workforce.

He has liaised with all employees to see what could be done to make the workplace safer.

Two awards were given to young people working within the joinery and woodworking sector.

Joe Handy of West Oak Joinery Ltd was awarded Apprentice of the Year.

After completing his school work experience at West Oak Joinery, Mr Handy went on to begin his apprenticeship when he left school at 16.

"The quality of his workmanship has been second-to-none, showing skill and knowledge from the interpretation of drawings and design, mastering complex production of panels, sashes, kite and winder stairs, and curved oak frames, to name a few," said the judges.

The Trainee of the Year was presented to Dale Hodgins of Beard Evans Joinery Ltd, who impressed the judges with his "strong aptitude for understanding drawings and producing an exemplary standard of work."

Mr Hodgins has also competed in the World Skills Competition in the national heats and has now travelled the world showing off the high skills standards of UK joinery.

"The BWF awards provide us with the opportunity to showcase some of the most gifted businesses and individuals in our industry who make some of the most exciting products and projects that can be achieved using wood," said Iain McIlwee, chief executive of the BWF. The BWF Woodworking Awards were sponsored by Accoya, CITB, Didac and the W16 Exhibition.